From Rs 136.50 cts to Rs 151.50 cts, or Rs 14.50 cts on the kilo of a live cattle, and this in a period nearing Eid Ul Adha. The concerned authorities attribute this unexpected rise to the depreciation of the rupee and a rise in freight rates. A happening that severely affects the Muslim Committee of Mauritius, the Common Front of Muslims and the Sunnit Ulama & Aïmma Council (SUAC) among others. Nissar Ramtoolah, President of the Jummah Mosque also gives his opinion on this increase.
This is a decision taken on June 25, following a meeting between two importers Socovia Belle Vue Ltée and Neel-Agro Ltd and the authorities concerned, namely Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Husnoo and Ministers Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo and Soodesh Callichurn as well as the advisor to the Prime Minister’s office, Dr Zouberr Joomaye.
According to our crosschecks, the question will be discussed again at the next Council of Ministers, Friday, July 02.
Why not mass farming?
“It is high time to find a lasting solution on this annual increase which falls the weeks preceding this festival where the cattle are sacrificed in large numbers by the Muslim community. It will cost too much to consumers and especially Muslims who participate by buying a share according to Islamic regulations. I invite the authorities and small groups concerned to rethink justice in this increase and the Associations that fight for the rights of consumers to join in and work a price control structure” demands Nissar Ramtoolah. We are talking about 151.50 cts on live cattle and the price of meat, offal and other parts after slaughter will be redefined upwards from this price set by the government. “If the cause of this increase is really due to the depreciation of the rupee and an increase in freight rates, well the solution seems to be simple, why not the mass breeding of cattle in Mauritius which will finally make self-sufficiency possible in food. Moreover, why not the mass breeding of animals intended for general consumption, including sheep, lamb, goat and poultry. This is on the fringes of the agro-industry strategy!” he says. According to his figures, for the Aid Ul Adha festival, a minimum of 6,000 heads are required by the Muslim population for home slaughter and 12,000 heads for a year for all Mauritian consumers. “Cattle in Kilo will effectively sell for less, create jobs and contribute to the economy in such a conjuncture,” concludes Nissar Ramtoola.
